I don't think they've forgotten, they're just unaware it exists at all. Either that or they refuse to believe it exists.

I think a lot of people (not all) with or without a diagnosis of autism ‘mask’ to an extent, it’s the degree to which you can cope with this that is the point of difference … making environments (like the work place) more compassionate and inclusive to people’s difficulties, disabilities, identities or sensitivities as well as family commitments etc etc and being creative, solution focused and making adaptions is the way forward. Do those with lower levels of difficulty develop personal strengths and resilience in problem solving ways of managing these feelings, thoughts and behaviours where the distress is lower level ? I think lots of people like myself on this feed may feel concerned that autism is an ever inclusive and expanding classification which is medicalising increasingly more of the human experience. … in a context of austerity and cuts to all public services, those who are severely impacted by autism (and their families) who depend on services to manage the day to day activities, this has an impact. Everyone is different - but Melanie finding difficulty in understanding Shakespeare is not a need to worry - it is dense and complex, and if not taught well, baffling … but she mentioned that she achieved a B in English despite these difficulties so she’s a clever confident lass, who shouldn’t be comparing herself to everyone else who 'apparently' gets metaphor and poetry … lots of folk don’t understand their world that way, nor want too. I feel the points she has made about misogyny in the work place are no doubt very widespread. With men feeling entitled to ask for what they need - this is related, but not limited to people with autism. But I return to the point that there are limited resources and for those with debilitating autism conditions, especially where their level of autism creates high levels of vulnerability and raoses issues of safeguarding, Melanie’s degree of difficulty, does not resemble their struggles.

@@carolinebarnes2520 I don't think many if any low support needs autistics would deny the fact that there are high support needs autistics out there who struggle more than us, that's just one of the realities of autism. However, I don't like it when people put the blame on low support needs autistics for the lack of resources and help for HSN(high support needs) autistics. It's not our fault, its the fault of the healthcare system, or rather the fault of the government for not funding the healthcare system enough, that leaves families and autistic people themselves struggling without help. LSN autistics are not taking anything away from HSN autistics, I can guarantee you. Since recieving my diagnosis a few months ago, i've not been offered any sort of support at all. No therapy, no nothing. Because theres not really much they can offer. LSN autistics aren't taking anything from HSN autistics. HSN autistic children take priority on the diagnostic waiting list, so they'll get diagnosed sooner, while LSN children and adults may have to wait years to access a diagnosis, because HSN people come first, and rightfully so. What we can't have is people continuing to push down on the voices of LSN autistic people and saying "oh but families are suffering." to try and suggest that we shouldn't be diagnosed because we're "not autistic enough" and therefore are "using up resources". We're not using up any resources. If anything, undiagnosed LSN autistics are using up a lot of mental health resources, because going undiagnosed with autism is traumatic, and a huge struggle that causes a lot of people, especially teenage girls and young women, to become majorly depressed, anxious, even suicidal. If they could simply have the label of autism to describe their life experience, it can help them to be more accepting of themselves, more accommodating to themsleves, and therefore lead much happier lives. Before I ever discovered I was autistic I was at rock bottom mentally, i felt invisible, ignored, a ghost to society. It was so isolating. And then I realised I was autistic, and suddenly everything came together, everything made sense. I was kinder to myself, and accommodating to myself, and it's helped me get to where I am today. I still struggle daily, I'm struggling to find a job, and don't have many friends, but i'm much happier than I was. Videos like this, autistic celebrities like her reach out to the undiagnosed women and teen girls who are at rock bottom like I was, and help them come to this realisation, and pull them afloat again. The existence of LSN, high masking autistic people in no way detracts or steals from the resources that should rightfully be going towards HSN autistic people and their families.

The ignorance in these comments is astounding. Not to mention depressing.

​@carolinebarnes2520 Thank you , you explain very well the points I was trying to make. It is the impacts on more serious people with Autism who need day to day support.

Yeah, I sense bullsh*t here

She came across really well when she was on i’m a celeb though. She was totally different to how i thought she’d be.

The wall is brutal 😂

She would look much better with around 10kg more on her. Too thin and lean - imo it ages her. She used to be so beautiful

I doubt she cares. Move along incels.

​@@adastraa11Aw bless you and your casual misandry.

Try again you small minded ableist

People simply do not understand masking in women with autism and the internal struggles. There are still so many misconceptions and why it gets missed in women. Also the different divisions of autism are now all called autism. PDA for example can have better social skills but other things are a struggle. Women/girls can present more subtly and just seem shy. Watch the Paddy McGuiness documentary to find out more.

@@sarahwilsonuk I’ve watched that documentary, and many others and have read about autism extensively for the last 3.5 years. I have a minimally verbal 4 year old autistic daughter (she speaks in single words). I’m also aware that private diagnosis are being obtained for autism and these assessments are not as thorough/accurate as they should be. It seems fashionable nowadays to have an autism, ADHD badge and takes away the seriousness of these disorders. The criterium in DSM 5 that a person must meet for an autism diagnosis is ‘Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following…’ This is why I question it…masking or not, how could anyone with ASD do or want to do a career like the one Melanie Sykes has had. If all these people really do have ASD (I am honestly astounded by the number of people that tell me that their child is autistic), then something serious is going on with the human population or it is being over-diagnosed (or a bit of both).

This is such an ignorant take. Girls mask their autism symptoms. I have done so my whole life, and like Mel, I am an outgoing, confident person with great social skills. But my gosh, is it exhausting. Its been such an internal struggle for me and countless other women. We mask to fit in, and unfortunately that means autism isnt picked up on. And as Mel said, we present incredibly differently to males. Please educate yourself about this as we need to change the stereotyping

Consider autistic artists like David Byrne and Courtney Love. This is why it is a spectrum I guess. very interesting topic

Ignorant

😂😂

I totally agree

Seems a lot of people are incredibly fkn ignorant as to what autism is.

Yes. I suggest you try harder.

I agree

With some casual man blaming thrown in for good measure.